It is not very often that a survey will gain a lot of attention from gamers; however, it was over a decade ago that a survey dropped by Nintendo which would drastically impact the future creative decisions of the beloved Paper Mario series. Now in 2024, Nintendo seemingly has once again dropped a new survey and fans are left wondering if history will repeat itself and, if this time, the dedicated fanbase can make the outcome different. However, some are wondering if this alleged “survey” is even real or an elaborate hoax made without Nintendo’s involvement.
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024), Nintendo
Sometime after the release of Super Paper Mario in 2007, Nintendo was believed to have analyzed the data gathered from a rather obscure “Club Nintendo” survey to determine the strategy going forward in their critically acclaimed Paper Mario series. The series was known for its blend of RPG mechanics and platforming mixed with a gripping story and quirky, fleshed-out characters.
While its 2007 release was a bit of a departure from the more RPG-focused roots, favoring platforming gameplay more reminiscent of the financially successful side-scrolling Mario games, it was seen by fans as true to the series’ origin with a gripping, heartfelt story that is still talked about in high regards to this day. However, what was not held in high regard was Nintendo’s decision to revamp the Paper Mario series in 2011 with the 3DS release of Paper Mario Sticker Star.
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024), Nintendo
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Sticker Star would go on to be one of the most panned games by the Nintendo diehards, so much so that for many years the game was subject to false information regarding the creators of the game. Many fans speculated that Nintendo was pleased with the result of turning the beloved series into a more “basic” experience, lacking the memorable characters and semi-deep RPG elements. However, more properly translated interviews from recent times show that people involved in the development of the panned Sticker Star didn’t seem to look at the game with the highest regards and pride.
Fans believe that part of why the decision to take Sticker Star in a new more “streamlined” direction for the series came from a survey conducted through an old Nintendo membership service known as “Club Nintendo.” The lack of strong feedback towards the traditional formula possibly resulted in the decision to change course for the Paper Mario series. Many long-time fans didn’t even know of the survey’s existence until much later and the now-infamous survey was far from the public zeitgeist.
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020), Nintendo
Following Sticker Star’s controversial release, the franchise’s new direction and fan outcry would go somewhat “nuclear” so to speak. In 2013, Nintendo announced the next entry of the series with Paper Mario Color Splash for WiiU. In an era of financial struggle and critical reception issues for Nintendo, Color Splash being seen as possibly another “by the books” simplistic entry in the beloved series, would result in fan outcry and much internet discourse.
Upon the announcement of Color Splash, with the number of fans longing for a return to form, the most popular entry, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door would go trending on X. #StoriesNotStickers began trending in the hopes of a return to the more “story-driven” roots, leading to the next entry, Paper Mario: The Origami King, which both followed trends of newer and older games, having a much more polarized fan reception.
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020), Nintendo
Over a decade later from the backlash of Sticker Star and Color Splash, the internet has become a very different place, far removed from the days of “Gangnam Style” and the “Harlem Shake”. Surveys can now spread across the internet rapidly, so they can truly impact the direction of a series over the next decade or so. Paper Mario fans want to make sure their voices are heard. The series has presented several different gameplay mechanics to their fans and now the players want to make it clear what kind of Paper Mario experience they want to see returned and expanded upon.
With the announcement and upcoming release of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for Nintendo Switch, a remake of the more RPG-focused GameCube game, the series appears to be returning to its roots. Fans are highly anticipating the “return to form,” however debate is occurring over another possible survey that could once again change the course of the Paper Mario series.
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024), Nintendo
The new survey has been making rounds across the internet, but many fans can’t seem to confirm whether it is real or an elaborate hoax, based on the “bizarre” survey history of the Mario Spin-Off. Many YouTube videos and forum posts have had varying opinions on the survey, with many leaning towards it likely being real due to featuring what some fans believe to be new renders of Paper Mario characters appearing in the answers.
However, the survey link currently states that it is now “inactive,” which is strange given that “The Thousand Year Door” remake has still yet to release. The survey appears to be connected to the “experience management” company Qualtrics, which does make the article seem a bit odd, but Nintendo does list them as a “Third-Party Partner.”
A screenshot from Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020), Nintendo
Whether or not the survey will impact the future of the franchise is up in the air. The practices for gathering information from audiences were very different when Super Paper Mario was released back in 2007. Nowadays, X, YouTube, and more streamlined feedback services can offer companies more accurate info than obscure membership programs from the late 2000s.
The new survey relating to what players found appealing about the new Thousand Year Door’ remake could now be entirely irrelevant to the decisions of making new Paper Mario games. However, if there is even a chance that some of the most critically acclaimed Mario games could 3.ever see a “true to form” follow-up for gamers and thereby impacting their ability to introduce them to their own children, the Paper Mario fan base will be there to tell Nintendo what they want!
